MOUNT GEUMGANGSAN, North Korea ― Fleeting encounters, tearful recollections and joyful conversations turned into painful sobs and aching hearts as members of the 91 separated families boarded homebound buses that would divide them from their loved ones again, indefinitely.
“Make sure that you stay healthy. It took us 65 years to be reunited, but we will soon meet again,” Lim Hak-kyu, 80, from the South shouted as his 85-year-old sister, Lim Ri-gyu, held out her hand through the bus window.
Park Yong-deuk, 81, from the South insisted on bringing his 82-year-old sister Park Ryong-sun to Seoul as he broke down in tears.
“My sister, sister, I will take you to Seoul. We will go there together. I will send you back after you spend just three days with us there … you will have no problem,” Park said in a trembling voice.
His nephew from the North separated the grieving siblings, saying, “We will meet when our countries are reunited.”
The first round of the reunions at the mountain resort ended Thursday after the two-hour gathering where 389 South Koreans exchanged what could be their last words of love with their relatives they were separated from after the end of the 1950-53 Korean War.
A total of 141 North Korean participants attended the reunions, which were possible as part of a comprehensive inter-Korean agreement on Aug. 25 to defuse cross-border tensions and improve bilateral ties.
During the final gathering in the morning at the resort, many participants got down on their knees and bowed to bid farewell to their parents, with some singing a sorrowful song longing for unification.
‘It is a sad thing (for us to be separated again),” said Ri Hong-jong, 88, from the North as her 68-year-old daughter Lee Jeong-suk was poised to bow before him. “We are running out of time,” Lee said with teary eyes.
Lee Gyeong-hee, 77 from the South, promised his 84-year-old sister Ri Ran-hee to live until 100, hoping that reunification will come before they die.
“Live long. Some 20 years, we both will turn around 100 and will be able to meet again,” Lee told his sister, while firmly clasping her hands.
As participants in their 80s and 90s cried out, South Korea’s medical staffers kept a close watch to see if they needed any medical support. Some 20 medical staffers with five ambulances accompanied South Korean participants.
The second round of the reunions involving 255 South Koreans from 90 families will begin on Saturday. A total of 188 North Koreans are to participate in the second round that will continue through next Monday.
Like the first round, the participants will have six meetings with their relatives, each session lasting two hours. They will meet for two group reunions, a welcome reception, one individual gathering, one joint dinner session and a farewell.
By Song Sang-ho & Joint Press Corps ()
koreaherald@heraldcorp.com
